In this News Brief:
This year, FSBPT will fund the following attendees at the Leadership Issues Forum and the Annual Education Meeting. We have contacted administrators with instructions on selecting delegates (voting and alternate) and identifying the funded administrator.
Leadership Issues Forum, July 18-19, Arlington, Virginia, Read the FAQs
Annual Education Meeting, October 22-24, Greenville, South Carolina, Read the FAQs
We will be at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, held in Anaheim, California, February 12-14. Please stop by our booths and visit us!
Member jurisdictions should be aware of recent changes to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) that will impact how they interpret TOEFL scores from candidates educated outside of the United States. The new examination is adaptive, has stronger security, and reports scores that align with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). What is important to know is that the new scores are not compatible with federal (USCIS and HRSA) or FSBPT-recommended minimum standards for English proficiency for physical therapy professionals.
Earlier in 2026, ETS had communicated that the old TOEFL scores would be available through most of 2027. Recently, FSBPT has learned that ETS will only provide total scores on the old scale for TOEFL rather than the subscale scores required to make determinations of English proficiency by either the federal or FSBPT-recommended minimum standards. For jurisdictions using the FSBPT-recommended standard, FSBPT provides the crosswalk recommended by ETS on our website. For jurisdictions using the federal standard, neither HRSA nor USCIS have provided guidance at this time.
Because the new scoring scale doesn’t align perfectly with the old scores (i.e., each new score corresponds to a range of old scores), jurisdictions will have to make a policy decision regarding whether they will accept the possibility of a candidate passing with a slightly lower score or require slightly higher scores of all candidates. We recently hosted a presentation for board administrators on this subject.
We expect new scores to become available the week of January 26, 2026. More information on the transition is available on ETS’s website.
If you need assistance interpreting the new scores, FSBPT is here to help. Please reach out to us.
FSBPT strives to be a deliberative organization and seeks to present new approaches and changes in a purposeful manner before our Leadership Issues Forum (LIF). Providing topics in advance allows the board an opportunity to carefully prepare topics for consideration. Bringing topics to LIF, where our members have plenty of time to engage in thoughtful dialogue, allows us to truly get member input on important topics. A number of topics have been presented at consecutive LIF meetings to make sure they are vetted properly, like the most recent bylaw changes or the disciplinary action guidelines. We welcome your input on future topics for LIF and look forward to hearing from you all!
We are accepting presentation ideas and proposals for 2026 webinars and in-person sessions at the 2026 Annual Education Meeting in Greenville, South Carolina.
If you have a specific idea, please submit a proposal. However, we are also interested in learning about jurisdictions' experiences with regulatory topics and your general ideas on what issues we should examine. We encourage all board members, administrators, and other stakeholders to share topics and ideas with us. You can also watch webinars and meeting sessions on FSBPT's YouTube Channel to learn what we've recently covered.
The web address for the FSBPT Member Portal has changed. If you are getting to the portal through the FSBPT website or recent emails, you should be fine! However, please update any personal bookmarks or saved links to ensure uninterrupted access to the portal. Please reach out if you have any questions or run into any problems.
The Healthcare Regulatory Research Institute (HRRI) continues to play a pivotal role in supporting regulatory innovation within physical therapy. By funding research on pressing topics such as sexual misconduct prevention, workforce challenges, and practitioner well-being, HRRI ensures that boards and organizations have access to the latest evidence-based tools and insights. Recent projects include the launch of a board self-audit tool for addressing sexual misconduct and the development of comprehensive workforce data toolkits.
Ongoing research initiatives are focused on areas like reentry to practice and mental health support for professionals. These projects are set to inform future policy discussions and drive improvements in regulatory oversight, demonstrating HRRI’s dedication to advancing the safety, competence, and well-being of the physical therapy workforce.
Each month, we will focus on a different statute section from the Model Practice Act and its accompanying commentary. For 2026, the Model Practice Act Moment will focus on Article 3: Examination and Licensure. Last year, in 2025, we covered one of the twelve sections under Article 4: Regulation of Physical Therapy each month. Learn more by reading the Model Practice Act.
Article 3: Examination and Licensure
3.01 National Examination
A. The board shall provide for a national examination within the jurisdiction.
B. To be eligible to sit for the national examination, the candidate must meet nationally recognized requirements that support the integrity of the examination and are further defined by rule.
C. Candidates must agree to abide by security and copyright provisions related to the national licensure examination. If the board determines that an applicant has violated any of these provisions or engaged in or attempted to engage in any other conduct that subverts or undermines the integrity of the examination process or validity of examination results, the board may disqualify the applicant from taking or retaking the examination permanently or for a specified period of time.
D. Any violation of security and copyright provisions related to the national licensure examination, subversion, or attempts to subvert the national examination shall be reported by the board to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
E. If the board determines that an applicant has engaged or has attempted to engage in conduct that subverts or undermines the integrity of the examination process, including a violation of security and copyright provisions related to the national licensure examination, the board may disqualify the applicant from taking or retaking the examination permanently or for a specified period of time
Commentary
The entry-level examinations for licensure and certification are provided at testing centers in each state. The examination for a physical therapist is “competency specific” and covers the entire scope of practice, including theory, examination and evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment intervention, prevention and consultation that are consistent with the exam blueprint. This list of competencies is included in the definition of the “Practice of physical therapy.” (See Definitions, Article 1.02.) Examinations used for the measurement of entry-level competence are in most cases protected by copyright laws. The National Physical Therapy Examinations are protected by copyright. Individuals who share questions from any board-approved examination by memorizing, giving away, attempting to give away, receiving recalled questions or trafficking in the same, shall be subject to legal action and/or potentially severe discipline including being prohibited from testing for licensure or losing an existing license. This is also addressed under Grounds for Denial of License [and Certificate]; Disciplinary Action, Section 4.04 and 4.07.
The FSBPT Board is committed to supporting its member jurisdictions in their mission to protect the public. Join the ranks of states, including Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, and the Virgin Islands, that have all taken a big step toward both administrative efficiency and protecting the public. They are currently leveraging FSBPT Grants to enhance the ELDD, improve compact privilege implementation, and collect workforce data.
Your state should be next! Learn more about our available grants to help jurisdictions with enhancing your participation in or communication with our Examination, Licensure, and Disciplinary Database (ELDD), improving compact privilege implementation, or collecting workforce data.
FSBPT offers grant funding to support its member jurisdictions in their mission to protect the public. If you are interested in receiving a grant, please send an email to FSBPT's CEO, Susan Newman, summarizing what you would like to have funded and why it is important or how it can improve efficiencies for your board.
We are hosting multiple upcoming webinars within the FSBPT Portal, allowing you to easily access member resources, groups, and events all in one place! Be sure to register for these upcoming webinars:
February 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
February 17, 4:00 p.m. ET
March 2026 Regulatory Hour: Jennifer Semko
March 17, 4:00 p.m. ET
April 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
April 21, 4:00 p.m. ET
May 2026 Regulatory Hour: Paul Welk
May 12, 4:00 p.m. ET
June 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
June 16, 4:00 p.m. ET
July 2026 Regulatory Hour: Amigo Wade
July 7, 4:00 p.m. ET
August 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
August 18, 4:00 p.m. ET
September 2026 Regulatory Hour: Amigo Wade
September 8, 4:00 p.m. ET
October 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
October 6, 4:00 p.m. ET
November 2026 Regulatory Hour: Jennifer Semko
November 17, 4:00 p.m. ET (Tentative)
December 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
December 15, 4:00 p.m. ET
To register, please log in to the FSBPT Portal, select "Events," and click on the event you'd like to register for.
By Michelle Sigmund-Gaines
One of the great strengths of FSBPT’s Council of Board Administrators (CBA) community is the simple act of sharing what we’ve learned. Whether it’s celebrating a new achievement, navigating an unexpected barrier, or discovering a smarter way to serve the public, the willingness of every jurisdiction to openly exchange information strengthens the safety and integrity of physical therapy regulation nationwide. This year’s jurisdictional board reports offer a vivid snapshot of that collective work—and a reminder that none of us advances alone.... Continue reading the Administrative Staff Corner.
FSBPT has several resources that physical therapy regulatory boards may find helpful when implementing and using criminal history record information (CHRI), commonly referred to as a criminal background check, as part of the application for licensure.
This month, we thank our generous volunteer members for their support of our mission.
FSBPT provides the following links for your education and awareness, but does not endorse the content.
"500 patients sue Virginia hospital, execs claiming unnecessary surgeries," Erica Cerutti, Becker's Hospital Review, December 30, 2025
"More than 500 patients have filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake (Va.) Regional Medical Center and several of its current and former senior executives, alleging the hospital failed to stop a physician from performing medically unnecessary procedures for nearly a decade, The New York Times reported Dec. 29."
"Justice Department Issues Updated Letters and Fact Sheet About Professional License Portability for Servicemembers and their Spouses," Department of Justice, December 22, 2025
"The Justice Department announced today that it has issued updated materials explaining recent changes to the law that governs the portability of professional licenses for servicemembers and their spouses. The materials include a letter for state licensing authorities and another for state offices that license attorneys. The letters explain recent changes to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) section that allows servicemembers and their spouses to use their professional licenses or certificates in new states if they are relocating because of military orders and meet certain other requirements. The Justice Department also issued a fact sheet outlining the updated license portability provision."
"Your next primary care doctor could be online only, accessed through an AI tool," Martha Bebinger, NPR, January 9, 2026
"Mass General Brigham says the AI tool can handle patients seeking care for colds, nausea, rashes, sprains and other common urgent care requests — as well as mild to moderate mental health concerns and issues related to chronic diseases. After the patient types in a description of the symptoms or problem, the AI tool sends a doctor a suggested diagnosis and treatment plan."
"Testing Giant Shops GRE and Toefl Exams for Around $500 Million," Douglas Belkin and Juliet Chung, The Wall Street Journal, January 24, 2026
"Industry has faced pressure since pandemic, when many universities made exams optional."
Recently, to advance the business of FSBPT, the board approved the motions listed. Please contact your jurisdiction board liaison if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Approved - 2026-01-01: To appoint, reappoint, or extend the following people to the committee listed:
Supervised Clinical Practice Performance Evaluation Tool Standard Setting Task Force
Members of the board of directors serve as liaisons to multiple jurisdictions.
Stephen Curley Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia
Craig Miller Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah
David Relling Hawaii, New Jersey, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Virgin Islands
Steven Scherger Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas
Michelle Sigmund-Gaines Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Michele Thorman Delaware, District of Columbia, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Virginia, and Wisconsin
Krista Wolfe Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Charles E. Reiter The public member of the board does not serve as a liaison to jurisdictions
FSBPT’s Board of Directors wants members to know staff is available to assist any jurisdiction with writing statutory or regulatory language. When you are crafting new laws or regulations/rules, especially involving FSBPT products such as the NPTE or Coursework Tool, or controversial topics such as dry needling, FSBPT is a resource to remember!
Subject
Point of Contact/Email Address
ADA accommodations
Christine Sousa
Assessment or examination development questions
Lorin Mueller npte@fsbpt.org
Continuing competence
Jeffrey M. Rosa
Credentials review
Jaime Nolan, FCCPT
ELDD- Exam, Licensure and Disciplinary Database participation
eldd@fsbpt.org
Exam registration processing
Foreign educated issues
Leslie Adrian
Immigration
Jamie Nolan
JAM- Jurisprudence Assessment Module
JAM@fsbpt.org
Legislation or Model Practice Act
Meeting arrangements
Paul Delaney
NPDB reports/questions
Angela Burnham
PTC- Physical Therapy Compact
compact@fsbpt.org
PEAT®- Practice Exam & Assessment Tool
peat@fsbpt.org
Reimbursement of expenses and other financial matters
David Sigman, ext. 226
School reports
schoolreports@fsbpt.org
Score transfer & reporting
SCP PET- Supervised Clinical Practice Performance Evaluation Tool
scppet@fsbpt.org
Security issues
Susan Newman security@fsbpt.org
Anything else, including news to share with members
Caitlin Jennings Communications@fsbpt.org
As I begin my tenure as CEO, I’m excited to offer you a closer look Inside FSBPT—starting with my own commitment to listening and learning. Your insights guide our work, and I welcome and encourage you to share your thoughts with me on how we craft valuable and strategic regulation in support of our shared mission – protecting the public.